Tom Selleck

I cannot tell you why this dessert is called Tom Selleck. I can take a few guesses though. The first things that come to mind when eating it are: smooth, creamy, sexy. Just like the real thing. I have to admit, that I have a giant crush on Tom Selleck. There is a noticeable age difference between us, but that’s okay, right? I really cannot think of a time when he was not good looking. Magnum P.I. (he could rock a corduroy short, couldn’t he?), Las Vegas, Friends (my personal favorite time), Blue Bloods. Doesn’t he look like a guy that would give a great hug? He’s a big guy. It seems like he would be warm and cuddly, and smell really good. This is just getting weird now isn’t it? I love that he is an avocado farmer. He seems like an all-around good guy, worthy of a delicious dessert.

I got this recipe from my best friend in the world Kathy. This dessert is her husband’s favorite dessert. It is what he requests on his birthday. The original recipe (I posted Kathy’s recipe on on Tasty Kitchen ages ago) is great, it calls for Cool-Whip and instant pudding. There is nothing wrong with this, but I always wondered if it would be better with homemade pudding and whipped cream. You know what? If you want to take the time to make everything from scratch, go ahead, but both versions are equally amazing. This dessert always seems to make an appearance at my house for Valentine’s Day, and this year is no different.

Start by making the crust. Mix together butter, sugar, and flour until it is combined.

Press the crumbs into the bottom of a sprayed 9×13 pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool completely.

While the crust is cooling, whip 2 cups of heavy cream according to this recipe. I add Whip-it to mine, but you don’t have to. Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Fold in one third of the whipped cream.

Start by making the crust. Mix together butter, sugar, and flour until it is combined.

Press the crumbs into the bottom of a sprayed 9×13 pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool completely.

While the crust is cooling, whip 2 cups of heavy cream according to this recipe. I add Whip-it to mine, but you don’t have to. Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Fold in one third of the whipped cream.

Spread the cream cheese layer over the cooled crust.

Spread the chocolate pudding on top.

Cover the top with the remaining whipped cream. Chill for a few hours or overnight.

The mere mention of Tom Selleck made me want to make this dessert. I’ve had a crush on him since I was 4 years old – I thought he was just dreamy. He still is! At the risk of getting weird I’ll just say that I agree with you – he does look like he’d give wonderful hugs and smell fantastic.

So then I actually took a look at the recipe and it looks fantastic – and rainbow sprinkles do make everything taste that much better. I want to make this for my best friend’s little girl – she’s a super picky eater but loves pudding and whippy-cream-type-things, so I think she’d dig this. Thanks for the great post!

This used to be served in my sorority on special occasions, but with the name “Better than Robert Redford.” I wonder if it’s called Tom Selleck for a similar reason… In any case, it’s delicious (although I think I’d skip the dessert if I REALLY could have RR!)

This recipe is one I’ve been using since the 80’s, and it’s gone through many heartthrob names! I first knew it as the Robert Redford, loooooong before he became the grizzled Sundance director he is today. The version I like best adds chopped walnuts to the shortbread-like crust, and uses pistachio pudding rather than chocolate. You top the final layer with chopped walnuts or pistachios. This is always a huge hit at work-related potlucks – creamy, sweet, crunchy, and a little salty all at once. I agree that stabilized whipped cream makes it a much better dessert than the Cool Whip version. Thanks for bringing back the memories!

It is a funny thing. I have been making this for many years and it was always called “The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford.” I changed the name to “The Next Best Thing to Tom Sellect” at least ten years ago and told my friends it was because I liked Tom Sellect better. It is funny that someone else called it by his name as well when the original recipe to my knowledge was “Robert Redford”.

My mom has always made something similar to this but she crushes walnuts and uses them in the crust as well as on top instead of sprinkles. I’ve been known to switch the custard flavor to pistachio from time to time- or a more recent favorite of whiskey-chocolate pudding!

I was given a folder full of family recipes from my step-cousin for my wedding and included the “Better Than Sex” cake. Very similar to this except, there are pecans in the crust and the first whipped cream layer in yours is vanilla pudding, with a layer of whipped cream between it and the chocolate. YUMMY!

I have seen this dessert called Sex-in-a-Pan … now that you have made it homemade, I will make it. I don’t like Cool Whip or instant pudding at all. I love that it’s called Tom Selleck or Robert Redford too! I’m with you on Tom Selleck … Monica was an idiot on Friends! Really – Chandler?? Over Tom Selleck???

I’ve been reading your blog for a little while and love seeing what you make. It all looks so delicious! I think I’ll have to try this one, if for no other reason than that I too have always had a crush on Tom Selleck. Who knows why, but it’s true. Just last night I fed my crush with a little Three Men and A Little Lady….I think Tom Selleck just might make it onto this weekend’s menu

I have had the most ridiculous dreams about Tom for almost forty years now. Every one has been he and I shopping. Martha’s Vineyard, Hilton Head, Vale … the most recent just a few weeks ago. I don’t know why (well, yes I do) but he must have an incredible credit limit! Maybe next we’ll go to Publix and pick up the things to make this …

The dessert looks delicious. My Mom used to make something very similar, but I don’t recall the name. I just wanted to say thanks for the giggle– I think it must be a hoot when your friend’s hubby requests Tom Selleck for his birthday!